DNA-mediated growth of noble metal nanomaterials for biosensing applications.

The morphology of nanomaterials plays a critical role in their physicochemical properties, and a precise modulation of the morphology is vitally important. As a promising capping agent, DNA has been used for directing the transition of metal nanoparticle seeds into different morphologies with enhanced properties, which has received extensive attention in biosensing. This paper reviews the research on DNA-mediated growth of noble metal nanomaterials for biosensing applications. We present the formation mechanism, which mainly includes DNA binding to metal nanoparticles, metal ion reduction, and regrowth on nanoparticle seeds. We then systematically summarize various metal nanomaterials with different morphologies mediated by physisorbed and thiolated DNA, and introduce the stability, recognition, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, surface plasmon resonance, catalytic, and biocompatibility properties of these nanomaterials and their biosensing applications. This review provides a ground for further research on the DNA-mediated growth of nanomaterials and their application to biosensing and beyond. • The morphology of metal nanomaterial plays a critical role in biosensing applications. • The growth of metal nanomaterials can be mediated via absorption or covalent binding. • DNA-mediated nanomaterials have versatile properties and biosensing applications. • The challenges and prospects focus on material innovations, DNA, and analytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]